Asia
Asia
The Kiso Valley & Alpine Trails
The Kiso Valley & Alpine Trails
The Kiso Valley & Alpine Trails
Nagano & The Nakasendo Way, Japan
From
$
3400
USD
7
Days
What Makes This Trip Special
What Makes This Trip Special
What Makes This Trip Special
Step back in time to the Edo period. By traveling exclusively on foot and by train, you'll slow down your mind and body. The rhythmic nature of walking the Nakasendo, combined with soaking in natural hot springs and eating meticulously prepared local food, will cure any creative burnout.
Step back in time to the Edo period. By traveling exclusively on foot and by train, you'll slow down your mind and body. The rhythmic nature of walking the Nakasendo, combined with soaking in natural hot springs and eating meticulously prepared local food, will cure any creative burnout.
Vibe: Hike the ancient Nakasendo samurai route through misty cedar forests. Sleep in meticulously preserved, centuries-old boutique ryokans (inns) and soak in mineral-rich, private open-air onsens under the alpine sky.
Vibe: Hike the ancient Nakasendo samurai route through misty cedar forests. Sleep in meticulously preserved, centuries-old boutique ryokans (inns) and soak in mineral-rich, private open-air onsens under the alpine sky.
Sustainability Focus: Travel is 100% via foot and electric high-speed rail. Your stay directly sustains historic post-town economies, local agriculture, and traditional craftsmanship that are at risk of fading.
Sustainability Focus: Travel is 100% via foot and electric high-speed rail. Your stay directly sustains historic post-town economies, local agriculture, and traditional craftsmanship that are at risk of fading.
Professional Perk: The ultimate antidote to creative burnout. Features built-in transit time on the Shinkansen (bullet train) with blazing-fast Wi-Fi for uninterrupted deep work, followed by Zen-like disconnection in the mountains to reset your focus.
Professional Perk: The ultimate antidote to creative burnout. Features built-in transit time on the Shinkansen (bullet train) with blazing-fast Wi-Fi for uninterrupted deep work, followed by Zen-like disconnection in the mountains to reset your focus.
Suggested Day by Day Itinerary
Suggested Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nagano via bullet train, settling into a traditional ryokan.
Day 2: Transfer to the Kiso Valley and begin hiking the historic Nakasendo trail.
Day 3: Hike from Magome to Tsumago, exploring preserved Edo-period post towns.
Day 4: Enter the alpine trails, hiking through dense cedar forests with stunning mountain views.
Day 5: Rest day featuring a digital detox, meditation, and soaking in natural onsens (hot springs).
Day 6: Final hike reaching Narai-juku, with an evening enjoying traditional kaiseki dining.
Day 7: Return to the modern world with a train journey back to Tokyo or onward destinations.
Day 1: Arrival in Nagano via bullet train, settling into a traditional ryokan.
Day 2: Transfer to the Kiso Valley and begin hiking the historic Nakasendo trail.
Day 3: Hike from Magome to Tsumago, exploring preserved Edo-period post towns.
Day 4: Enter the alpine trails, hiking through dense cedar forests with stunning mountain views.
Day 5: Rest day featuring a digital detox, meditation, and soaking in natural onsens (hot springs).
Day 6: Final hike reaching Narai-juku, with an evening enjoying traditional kaiseki dining.
Day 7: Return to the modern world with a train journey back to Tokyo or onward destinations.
Inclusions
Inclusions
Inclusions
6 nights accommodation in traditional Japanese ryokans and minshukus
Daily Japanese breakfast and multi-course kaiseki dinners
Luggage transfer service between post towns (hike with just a daypack)
All domestic rail passes needed for the itinerary
6 nights accommodation in traditional Japanese ryokans and minshukus
Daily Japanese breakfast and multi-course kaiseki dinners
Luggage transfer service between post towns (hike with just a daypack)
All domestic rail passes needed for the itinerary
Activities
Activities
Activities
Multi-day hiking on the historic Nakasendo trail
Exploration of preserved Edo-period post towns (Magome, Tsumago, Narai)
Guided forest meditation
Daily access to natural onsens (hot springs)
Multi-day hiking on the historic Nakasendo trail
Exploration of preserved Edo-period post towns (Magome, Tsumago, Narai)
Guided forest meditation
Daily access to natural onsens (hot springs)
Important Notes
Important Notes
Luggage: Your main luggage is forwarded to your next stop; you will only need to carry a small daypack while hiking.
Onsen Etiquette: Traditional Japanese hot springs are bathed in nude, and many have strict rules prohibiting visible tattoos. Let us know if you need accommodations or tattoo covers.
Dietary Restrictions: Traditional ryokan meals rely heavily on fish, dashi (fish broth), and soy. Severe allergies or strict vegan diets can be difficult to accommodate in remote mountain towns without advance notice.
Luggage: Your main luggage is forwarded to your next stop; you will only need to carry a small daypack while hiking.
Onsen Etiquette: Traditional Japanese hot springs are bathed in nude, and many have strict rules prohibiting visible tattoos. Let us know if you need accommodations or tattoo covers.
Dietary Restrictions: Traditional ryokan meals rely heavily on fish, dashi (fish broth), and soy. Severe allergies or strict vegan diets can be difficult to accommodate in remote mountain towns without advance notice.
Edge & Earth
Edge & Earth
Slow journeys, wild places, and carefully planned stays for travelers who prefer depth over speed.
Bespoke escapes
Earth-first travel
Start a journey
Edge & Earth
Edge & Earth
Slow journeys, wild places, and carefully planned stays for travelers who prefer depth over speed.
Bespoke escapes
Earth-first travel
Start a journey
Edge & Earth
Edge & Earth
Slow journeys, wild places, and carefully planned stays for travelers who prefer depth over speed.
Bespoke escapes
Earth-first travel
Start a journey